Write a 3–5 page paper debunking a myth about the brain using evidence from scholarly sources.
Myths about our brain abound. You’ve probably seen at least a few of them in movies, books, or TV shows. For this assessment, you’ll select one of the following myths to debunk.
- We only use 10% of our brain.
- Brain training will make you smart.
- The brain perceives the world as it is.
- Right-brained people are more creative.
- Adults can’t grow new brain cells.
- The brain is a computer.
Find one flawed source of information on the Internet. To find a flawed source, look for one with a substantial number of errors.
- Read what the textbook says about the myth.
- Use the myth you chose and use it as your search word or phrase on the Internet.
- Look for sources that are not accurate based on the information in your textbook.
- If you don’t see a flawed source on the first page of results, skip to the third page of results or further.
- Tips for finding flawed sources:
- Scroll through your social media feeds.
- Scroll through your results and look for sources that are NOT:
- .gov websites.
- News or press websites.
Then find and read two peer-reviewed journal articles on the topic. You will use these articles to help debunk the myth through their research findings.
Write a 3–5 page paper that includes:
- A brief summary of the myth and evidence provided by the website (your flawed source).
- Challenge of the myth: provide evidence the myth is not correct.
- Identify assumptions that underlie or support the myth.
- Include the research findings from peer-reviewed journal articles.
- For each source
- Discuss the methods, participants, and results.
- Explain the reliability, validity, and generalizability of the sources.
- Discuss whether the research is ethical based on the 5 APA ethical principles of psychologists. Refer to the specific principles and cite the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct.
- For each source
- A discussion of how the brain and body work in relation to your myth, using your textbook and other scholarly sources to support your statements.
- We only use 10% of our brain: Focus on the cerebrum.
- Brain training will make you smart: Focus on the chapter on intelligence.
- The brain perceives the world as it is: Focus on the chapters about our senses.
- Right-brained people are more creative: Focus on how the hemispheres work.
- Adults can’t grow new brain cells: Focus on Chapters 2 and 3.
- The brain is a computer: Focus on the chapter on memory.
- Your own theory: Based on your research, what do you think is correct?
Use headers to organize your paper. You should have at least three headers.
- Written communication: Written communication is in professional style with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics.
- Resources: Use a minimum of five sources: your flawed source, the textbook the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, and two peer-reviewed journal articles
- APA formatting: References and citations are formatted according to APA style and formatting.
- Length: 3–5 double-spaced, typed pages.
- Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.
GRADING RUBRIC: By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and scoring guide criteria:
- Competency 1: Relate the actions of the mind and body to psychological and physical health.
- Relate the actions of the mind and body to psychological and physical health.
- Competency 2: Construct alternative explanations based on perceived flaws in behavioral claims.
- Construct an alternative explanation based on perceived flaws in behavioral claims.
- Competency 3: Examine psychological research from the standpoint of adherence to the APA Ethics Code in psychological research involving human or nonhuman research participants.
- Explain psychological research from the standpoint of adherence to the APA Ethics Code in psychological research.
- Competency 4: Expose flawed sources of information.
- Choose a flawed source of information related to a myth.
- Explain peer-reviewed evidence.
- Competency 5: Write for purpose in a well organized text, incorporating appropriate evidence and tone in grammatically sound sentences.
- Use headers to organize paper.
- Use APA style formatting for citations and reference list with only minor errors.
- Address assessment purpose in a well-organized text, incorporating appropriate evidence and tone in grammatically sound sentences.
